Just two short years ago, the Texas Rangers hoisted the World Series trophy high above their heads. After a storybook season in 2023, who could imagine the spotlight of such a talented team would shift to a 23-year-old sophomore player?
Outfielder Wyatt Langford has quickly become the Rangers most exciting player. In fact, it seems like he has become the face of the future.
The 2025 campaign for Langford cemented what the scouts must have thought when they watched his college days. He was literally made for this stage.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Langford has power, discipline and an incredible amount of discipline for a 23-year-old in the MLB. In just his second year in the Bigs, Langford looked like a seasoned veteran.
The outfielder from Florida led the team in home runs with 22 over 134 games. He stole 22 bases which gave him an elite 20-20 profile that many veterans only dream about achieving.
When he stepped up to the plate, he showed patience and poise all while seemingly being fearless. Langford finished the season with a slash line of .241/.344/.431. He had an above-average exit velocity of 90.8 mph.
Clearly, the rookie’s characteristics are some that Texas would want to sustain and foster within their organization. While Corey Seager and Marcus Semien will remain the veteran leaders of the team, Langford exhibits what the future should look like for the Rangers.
In an interview with MLB Network early in the year, then manager Bruce Bochy spoke about the up-and-comer.
“He’s just a gifted athlete. He runs well, he’s a great baseball player. He’s a guy who is grounded and humble. I just love watching him play. He plays the game right…We are lucky to have this man on the team. It is amazing what he has accomplished given that he was playing for the Florida Gators a year ago and now is in the major league.”
Looking forward to the announcement of the Gold Glove awards, the Rangers have several players in the running. This is just one piece of evidence that the team heading into 2026 still has a very active competitive window.
Pitching depth will remain a substantial question mark, and the clock is ticking on several high-salary veterans as they are coming to the end of their deals.
Langford, on the other hand, offers some stability, and he is the kind of player that will keep fans invested through the ups and downs of roster turnover that can only be expected.
If the Rangers are going to have a chance of extending their playoff runs and even staying relevant in the championship discussions, players like Langford are necessary.
Leave a Reply